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property. The pickings were slim; Rowland was not as good a landlord as Alinor, but it would be longer than Ian was prepared to wait before the reavers starved. |
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There was no need for Alinor to wait outside in the cold to greet her master-at-arms. A groom took Honey back to the stables from the forebuilding where Alinor dismounted; the old mare would not last much longer, she thought sadly as she settled herself into her chair by the fire, but nothing could keep her anticipation of news of Ian from the forefront of her mind. A maidservant hurried forward with a footstool, and another took her cloak and asked if she wanted her embroidery. |
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''No, I do not think Yes, bring it," Alinor said. |
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Embroidery was a very fine object on which to fix one's eyes when one wished to veil their expression. It would not serve Alinor's present purpose to display her pleasure at news of Ian's imminent return. Beorn would never knowingly do anything to displease his mistress, but he was no hand at deception. If asked, he would blurt out the truth as he saw it. Better for him to know nothing than to need to practice concealment. |
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